City comparison
Yes. Fresno's crime index is 195 versus 242 in Orlando, and its violent crime index is 211 versus 241, using 2024-2025 FBI data for Fresno and 2022 FBI data for Orlando.
Fresno is cheaper. Median rent is $1,421 a month versus $1,747 in Orlando.
Fresno and Orlando are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,421 in Fresno and $1,747 in Orlando, and median household income lands at $70,991 versus $72,336. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
This is a genuine split. Fresno wins on cost of living and safety and Orlando wins on the job market. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Fresno at $1,421 average has pockets that run $1,221 and others at $1,821: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Fresno and Orlando are 2,288 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,421 a month in Fresno to $1,747 a month in Orlando, up $326 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $70,991 in Fresno to $72,336 in Orlando, up $1,345 (2%).
The crime index goes from 195 in Fresno to 242 in Orlando, up 47 points (24%).
The move
Orlando and Fresno are 2,288 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,747 a month in Orlando to $1,421 a month in Fresno, down $326 a month (19%).
Median household income goes from $72,336 in Orlando to $70,991 in Fresno, down $1,345 (2%).
The crime index goes from 242 in Orlando to 195 in Fresno, down 47 points (19%).
Fresno, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Orlando, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Fresno and Orlando? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
19% cheaper
Fresno rent is 19% cheaper than Orlando
Fresno
Winner$1,421/mo
Orlando
$1,747/mo
Typical rent runs $1,421 a month in Fresno versus $1,747 in Orlando, so Fresno is 19% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,912, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Fresno still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Orlando.
Planning to buy in Fresno? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
2% higher
Orlando's median income is 2% higher than Fresno
Fresno
$70,991
Orlando
Winner$72,336
Median household income is $72,336 in Orlando versus $70,991 in Fresno, so typical pay runs 2% higher in Orlando (about $1,345 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
19% lower crime
Fresno's crime index is 19% lower than Orlando
Fresno
Winner195 (100 = avg)
Orlando
242 (100 = avg)
Fresno's crime index is 195 versus 242 in Orlando (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 19% lower in Fresno. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Fresno is the easier city. Orlando can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Fresno and Orlando are about even on typical weather.
Fresno
74°F avg · 84°F highs · comfort 100/100
Orlando
71°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100
Fresno averages about 74°F (84°F highs); Orlando averages about 71°F (77°F highs). Fresno sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Orlando sits near 71°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Fresno is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 19% cheaper here at about $1,421 a month. Choose Fresno if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fresno is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 19% lower than Orlando (195 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Orlando is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 2% higher here ($72,336). Start with Orlando if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Orlando runs $1,747/month while Fresno sits at $1,421 — roughly 19% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Orlando-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Fresno rent at $1,421/month is still below Orlando's $1,747, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $72,336 in Orlando versus $70,991 in Fresno.
Fresno is the default on housing cost at $1,421/month versus $1,747 in Orlando; Orlando stays in play when $72,336 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $326 lease gap.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Fresno and Orlando, plus other cities in CA and FL.
